Clouds of Tyranny Page 15
“I need to get some practice,” whined Clyde at Lars. “No, I’m in charge and I say you can’t leave HQ till the Doc says okay.” “How am I gonna be loose and ready for the battle if I cant even stretch my legs?” “Fine, I’ll tell you what: tonight you can accompany me to Harmon. It will be late so the danger should be minimal.” “Now you’re talking.” “Can I go?” asked Alex walking into the dining area. “I don’t see why not-“ said Clyde before being cut off by Lars, “No! Official Returners business. Sorry.” “Okay, I’ll just find something else to do in the meantime,” said Alex walking back to the women’s dorm.
Chuck stared out the window while Smith reread the document over and over again, Locke sat stoic in thought, and Ray was taking a snooze. After less than two hours of railroad travel Chuck saw Velxeer castle approach in the distance. The castle had a large door at the entrance with six guards standing in front as well as a balcony wrapping around the top of the castle with many more guards walking back and forth watching for threats to their kingdom. The castle was not only a home for the king and his men but within the castle walls lay the town of Velxeer complete with inns, blacksmiths, doctors, a church, and numerous shops. Hanging around the castle is numerous flags with the insignia of Velxeer; a red flag with black stripes going down the edges with a bow and flaming arrow in the center pointing toward the sky. Locke kicking him from under the table abruptly awakened Ray. “Huh?” he said gurgling awake. Locke pointed out the window toward the town they now approached closer and closer. The castle was a beautiful monument, ironically surrounded by a vast desert. The train let out a loud horn followed by a cast iron gate lifting from the west side of the outer castle wall. The train slowed as it came closer to the now agape entryway. The boy who delivered them to the train entered their car. “Gentlemen; this way,” said the boy pointing them to the door they boarded the train at. The four of them got up and Ray followed the guard along with Chuck and Locke until Smith stopped Locke by putting his arm across his chest. “Remember what I said,” urged Smith to Locke. “Right.”
When they exited the train they saw the city of Velxeer; the courtyard was abundant in green grass, cheery faces, and a reflecting pool in the center with a statue of a burly man in full knight’s armor holding a broadsword up to the heavens while he stood over the body a large tusked beast. Locke tipped his head down in remembrance. “Who’s that?” asked Chuck. “King Stratus, the current ‘kings’ father,” answered Locke, “He was a good man.”
The first thing Smith and his men had to do was meet the current child-king and discuss whatever it was he needed from the Returners. After waiting an obscenely long time for their audience they finally were shown into the king’s chamber. The four of them walked up to the king, who was sitting patiently in his throne, and kneeled before him and bowed their heads; Locke hated this, he hated bowing to any man. “Arise,” spoke the king and the four of them stood up to face him. “I am king Luther.” He was a very young man, no more than eighteen, he was only a king due to his father’s death but was seasoned considering he had been acting as king since his father passed four years ago. “I have asked you here for diplomatic purpose. The imperials are pressuring us to offer up our kingdom for their use; building camps, refuge in my castle, and supplies for their cause. When I say ‘pressuring’ I mean of course threatening us with invasion.” Locke nodded, as he knew very well of how the empire worked, “Give it to us or we’ll take it.” “Precisely. So, what I propose is that rather than sign a submission of land to the empire, we sign an agreement of treaty with the Returners that would say whenever you need Velxeer’s help, you have it. This agreement would be delivered to the empire and if they so much as stop in Velxeer to make a bowel movement they’d be declaring war not only with Velxeer but the Returners as well. Maybe that would make them think twice.” “That sounds like a reasonable plan,” confirmed Smith. “What do you get out of it other than words?” asked Locke. “Well, when we call on you for assistance, you oblige us. That and everything you know about the empire I want to hear,” answered the king looking at Locke. “Is that it? Or do you have a mission in mind?” inquired Ray. “Yes, I do need something from you before you return home,” said the king standing up. “Which is,” asked Locke. “I need a few days of your time then I need one of you to stay for several more weeks,” requested the king. “Impossible I’m afraid,” said Smith pivoting his head from side to side, “We have something planned in eight days that requires all my best men.” I will send a dozen men back with you in exchange. Will that help?” Smith looked to his men, “Yes it will.” “Who’s stayin’?” asked Ray.
It was early evening as Alex rod her S250 iron horse across the plains approaching Pan’dier. As she raced through the grassy horizon, she thought of what had transpired in Pan’dier a few days ago, when she had first met Locke. What would it be like when she got to Pan’dier? Would the Empire have evacuated since they had left or were there more of them now? She’d be back in the lion’s den in less than an hour, but luckily it’d be dark when she arrives.
The air was getting more chilling in Sandria as the night closely approached. Terra sat in the sand looking at the sun dip into the beautiful ocean with her arms resting on her knees in her newly purchase yellow sun dress. “Mmmm. I like this,” she whispered to herself as she listened to the waves crash in and slowly recede. Then, she heard the door to her and Ruthie’s hut open from several yards behind her. Terra turned to look and saw a young boy of about sixteen walks out the door and turn around to kiss Ruthie lightly on the lips. They smiled at each other as he walked away to go to the inn. Ruthie saw Terra and quickly skipped over to her and sat down. “This is magical isn’t it?” asked Ruthie. “I don’t know, I wasn’t watching or listening. That’s your business Ruthie,” joked Terra. “No, silly. This place is magical. So beautiful. I wish the rest of the continent was beautiful like this and empire-free.” “Who was he, I didn’t have time to ask before,” inquired Terra. “An old friend I enjoy being with when I can. It’s getting cold, you should come inside.” “Just a few more minutes.” They sat together as they watched the orange sun cool itself into the ocean until finally putting itself out for the night. They walked back to their hut and slipped into their respectable beds. It was dark except for the tiny beam of moonlight that peeked in through the hole in the ceiling. “Terra?” “Yeah Ruthie?” “Thank you for being my friend.” “No, Thank you Ruthie.”
For the last mile leading up to Pan’dier, Alex thought it best to walk the vehicle to the town seeing as how it was a noisy machine and it would give away her presence. She parked her vehicle in the forest behind the town in the same bush it was housed a few days earlier. She slowly stalked around the town looking for threats; she dared not enter back through the underground corridor beneath the library seeing as how what happened last time she was there. She climbed over a tall wooden fence and found herself in the middle on someone’s backyards that had a bunch of junk; rusted sheet metal, dried weeds most likely being turned into mulch, and lots of dead grass. Alex stealthily crept up to the backdoor and peeked through the small window to see the living room filled with sleeping imperials. Alex put her back to the outside wall and took a deep breath as she rubbed her amulet with her right hand, the gripped the brass door knob and began turning it clockwise very slowly. She walked through the door and closed the door leaving it gaped a crack as to not make any unnecessary noise to alarm the Empire’s military. She tiptoed through the sleeping men struggling not to slaughter them all in their sleep. She eventually made her way to the front door and looked back at the sleeping men, then exited through the front door. She peeked her head out to see nobody patrolling the town; only guard dogs. She looked down to see a burly Doberman looking up at her and wagging his tail. Alex kneeled down and began patting him on the head and whispered, “They didn’t tell of my defection, did they?” Alex’s view of the dog became black and she felt a hard thump on the back of her head.
Alex a
woke with a splitting headache and felt her hands numbed from the roped binds that tied her wrists together, behind her back as she sat in a chair with her ankles tied to the front legs of the cold chair. She slowly opened her eyes, which only increased the pain in her head, to see the dark room around her with two shadows across the room. Alex pulled her wrists and felt the tightness of the rope around them. “Déjà vu,” sighed Alex. “What’s your name, imperial?” said one of the figures moving slightly closer. “I’m not an imperial, name’s Alex Gematria. I’m a Returner.” “Returner? The dog embraced you as a friend,” said the other figure without moving. Alex thought for a moment, If I tell them I’m an ex-imperial, they’ll probably kill me anyway. “I have a gift for animals, they always like me. Is that a crime?” The two men came into the beam of the moon to show their faces. The man on the left was an inch over six feet with a five o’clock shadow, dark eyes, and short brown hair. “I am Terrance and this is Franklin,” said the tall man motioning towards his friend. To Terry’s left was a shorter man with beady eyes, long sideburns almost to his chin, and long auburn hair down to his shoulders. “What are you doing here?” asked Terrance. “Scouting for more soldiers to assist us with a counter attack in Harmon,” responded Alex. “What’s happening in Harmon?” inquired Franklin. “Well, we have obtained an anonymous tip that the Empire will be attacking Harmon in about a week. Their goal is to make Harmon just like Pan’dier. So, you guys can let me go or you can come with me.” Franklin’s eyes got wide as he heard Alex speak, giving her the assumption that he was game. “We’ve got our own problems,” said Terrance sternly, “Untie her and send her on her way.” Franklin removed a small cutting knife from behind his back and walked behind Alex in order to reach her wrist bindings. “I wish you luck,” said Terrance turning around and headed for the door. “Meet me in the forest in one hour,” whispered Franklin as he cut the ropes from around her wrists. They were now free and she began rubbing her palms together in an attempt to try and get the blood flowing once more while Franklin cut off the ropes from her ankles. When he was finished he stood and looked at her as he handed her dragon blade back to her and held up his index finger. Alex gave an affirming nod to the fact that they’d be meeting in the forest in one hour; this seemed promising.
Alex sat on a log several feet from her hiding bush, smoking a cigarette and waiting for Franklin to show up. She needed a smoke after that little capture, at first awakening she had thought the Empire had once again captured her and this time there would be no escape. She sat there thinking about her fellow soldiers; Locke, Ray, Pearl, and the rest whom she hadn’t yet spent much time with. She hoped that Locke was okay without her and hoped that Terra would somehow get hurt on her little vacation. “Where’s your blue?” asked Franklin approaching her from the trees. “Left it at home, not a welcomed garment by the Empire, you know,” retorted Alex. “Anyways, I can get you ten shooters and ten rifles to go with them to Harmon, just tell me when and where.”
CHAPTER 13: LEVIATHAN AND KRAZZ
“Mr. Locke?” whispered a voice. “Mr. Locke?” said the voice louder. Locke’s eyes shuddered open to see a young woman standing in the doorway; she was wearing the colors of Velxeer. “His majesty summons you and your companions for breakfast,” said the girl and walked away, shutting the door behind her. Locke was still half asleep as he looked around the room he had awoken in and remembered that he was in Velxeer. The room that king Luther provided for him was fit for a king in its own right. Locke stood and walked to the mirror next to the oak door and looked back at his bed; the softest thing he had ever slept on. The room itself was canvassed in lavender wallpaper, framed photos of flowers, and carpeted floors; Locke thought it strange to walk on clothed floors when the material could be used for garments, What a waste. Locke glared at himself in the mirror. It had been so long since he had a shave, his stubble was now forming into the start of a beard and he hadn’t been eating much lately so his stomach was becoming smaller by the day, though he knew he would never be skinny. Locke scoffed at his own image and turned to get dressed. Locke threw on his clothes, bandana, grabbed his Damascus, and headed out the door to head for the royal dining room.
Locke walked down the hall into the main concourse and stopped before the two staircases leading to separate areas of the castle; he couldn’t remember which way to go for it had been a couple years since he had been here. “Sir?” asked a young boy carrying several chain mails. “Its been awhile. Where does the king have breakfast?” asked Locke. “Of course, take the right staircase, eighth door on the right then go down that hall and it’s the third door on the left,” smiled the boy before walking past. Locke went up the correct stairs to the next floor and took the eighth door on the right, then went into the third door on the right. He swung open the door and saw a man in a shiny red robe kneeling before a large cross on the wall. “Third door on the LEFT,” muttered Locke. The man looked behind him and his eyes lit up when he saw Locke standing there awkwardly. The man stood up quickly and walked toward Locke, “Hello my child. Do you seek guidance?” asked the priest bowing his head. “Yes I do, Father. Where’s the dining room?” asked Locke nervously. The priest sank, “Just across from this room, my child.” Locke nodded a thank you and back out of the room quickly. He shut the door and exhaled, he hadn’t been spiritual for close to a decade and he wasn’t about to start now.
Locke walked into the dining room to see king Luther, Smith, Ray, Chuck, and another man sitting at the large oval table made of mahogany. Along the walls were several armed guards standing stoic, Hope they’re not gonna be looking over my shoulder while I eat, thought Locke. “Good timing,” said Luther as Locke entered the door while simultaneously a few servants entered the door on the opposite wall. Locke nodded and went to sit next to Ray. “Been waiting long?” whispered Locke to Ray. “No. You just missed about thirty minutes of Smith kissing Luther’s butt and Luther commending himself on his genius plan, ya lucky bastard,” murmured Ray. The servants put down a plate of food in front of everyone at exactly the same time. Locke looked down at his plate wondering what it was; it was a yellow, green, brown, and gray ball with some kind of leaf sticking through the top like a flag out of an anthill. “We don’t actually have to eat this do we?” asked Ray quietly. “Yes. I promised I’d be respectful,” mumbled Locke angrily. “Excuse me your majesty, but do your guards have to be here for this?” asked Locke. “King Luther stood up and announced, “Dismissed!” The guards standing along the walls saluted their king and walked in single file out of the room. The king sat down and nodded at Locke and Locke nodded back respectfully. Locke was a little bewildered, Why is he being so nice to me this time? Did he promise Smith the same? Or did he just grow up since a couple years ago? “Before we partake in the Florentine Bormagino, let me introduce one of the men going back with you,” announced the king. So that’s what this crap is, thought Locke. “This is my number one; Captain Reuben Antleon,” continued the king. Ray leaned over to Locke to make a sarcastic remark no doubt, “Reuben? Like the sandwich?” Locke chuckled as did Ray at his own remark. They laughed together and looked over to Smith who somehow heard them and was glaring angrily at them. They straightened up and quietly ate their food.
Terra was in their hut alone reading the book Ruthie had given her. ‘Dr. Anersen confirmed the once perceived notion that the spellgene may pass on either chromosome. However, the X chromosome spawns a stronger strain than the Y chromosome. In other words, when a woman passes her magical abilities to her female spawn they have the potential to be more severely stronger than a male from either parent.’ “Hmm, so if my mother had it then I’m the most gifted spell caster?” said Terra aloud. “Not quite,” said Pearl as she walked into Terra’s hut, “The strongest spellcasters have a mother and father with the gift.” “You read the book?” “Yeah, Smith made me and Locke read the book when rumors of you surface about a month ago.” Terra nodded as she closed the book. “Terra!” yelled Ruthie from outside the hu
t, “Get out here.” Pearl smiled at Terra and left the room. Terra walked out confused of what the fuss was about. “What’s the matter Ruthie?” asked Terra. She pointed out to the ocean where it was midday. Terra looked out to sea and saw what Ruthie was so excited about; Leviathan. Leviathan was hundreds of years old and about five hundred feet long with green and blue scaled skin. Leviathan resembles the largest snake you’ve ever seen with winged fins every hundred feet and a pointy beaked nose. Terra froze as she saw it leap out of the water over a thousand feet into the air. “The legend goes,” began Pearl, “Leviathan was once a threat to humans but a group of brave warriors battled it for ten days and ten nights without rest until Leviathan finally retreated back into the ocean to circle the planet protecting us in repentance for its malevolence. It comes here this time every year to dance for us.” They all looked at the Leviathan as it jumped in and out of the water wiggling and dancing for its audience. “Its so serene,” smiled Terra hypnotically. “Yes, though some people fear it. Say it will return for a second fight,” warned Ruthie.
It was getting to be late afternoon as Ray, Locke, and Chuck went sightseeing in the town of Velxeer. “Whoa! Did you see the size of these peaches?” yelled Chuck holding up a peach almost as big as his own head, which was huge in its own right. “That’s really something,” said Ray. Chuck paid for the peach as he ate it then followed Ray and Locke as they were heading into a weapon store. Locke gazed down at the glass case filled with knives of all sizes, lengths, and widths. “See anything good?” asked Ray looking at swords on the adjacent wall. “Nothing better than what I already have. You?” “Maybe. Can I see that one?” asked Ray to the clerk as he pointed to a sheathed dress dagger colored emerald. The clerk handed it to him and Ray examined it. He unsheathed the double-edged blade looked at its sharpness very closely. “How much?” asked Ray. “It’s free, by word of the king.” Ray dug into his pocket and dropped down a reasonable amount on the counter, “You have a family, don’t you?” Locke raised his eyebrows at the clerk as they both walked out. When they walked out they saw a Velxeer guard running towards them waving his arms in the air. “What do you suppose-?” asked Locke rhetorically. “Mraybe e wants mah peesh,” mumbled Chuck with his mouth fool of dripping juice. “Mr. Locke, please come quick. Trouble.” “What’s the matter?” asked Ray. “He’s here. He’s here.” “Who? Spit it out, man,” ordered Locke. “Krazz!” The four of them ran in the direction of the castle side-by-side. “How many with him?” asked Locke. “He’s alone.”